1994 Mercury Tracer LTS Review: Remember Affordable Fun Cars?

[@StangfanStangfan]

Had a ‘93 demo white with a 5 speed. Other than the fender’s paint peeling off it was a great car at the time . Performance and comfort in a small package.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Exactly, the car was quite a deal especially when you add in it's relatively low cost and reliability.

[@DaewooFestiva23]

oooo the LTS is quite rare! ive only seen some base sedans and a trio wagon. Glad you have one!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I’ve only seen one other in the wild…but it was an automatic. These manual LTS models appear to be very rare indeed.

[@Anamnesis]

Owned a 91 LTS back in 96-97. One person thought the car had a turbo because of the revvy Mazda engine. I had to explain it was just a Japanese engine that liked to rev more than the typical American car. 😄 Like most Ford products, you definitely don't see these around anymore. It's amazing you were able to find one in this condition. I think it's cleaner than the one I had 25 years ago. 😂 Ford abandoned so many names: Marquis, Sable, Probe, Topaz, Tempo, Contour... nobody remembers these cars today and nobody took care of cheap products as though they were rare collectibles, so they're all but extinct now.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Now this is a solid LTS story. These things are absolutely all but gone today and are incredibly rare to find in any condition. The power plant and drivetrain being Mazda really meant that these cars had the capacity to love long and happy lives. I plan to rescue as many of these and Escort GTs that I find.

[@DreamRydeMusic]

Awesome car Man! Thank you for your videos, I’ve been searching for one of these along with the Escort GT for years in New England. I had a 93 teal green escort wagon and loved it. Drove it for 15 years until the body rotted; however it still ran like a champ.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thanks man! The infamous New England vehicle rot. The only ones left up there must have been squirreled away through the winter. They are getting real difficult to find anywhere. May be worth you searching in less rust prone areas as they can still be had for a decently cheap price.

[@zythr9999]

Rust took care of them

[@dr9736]

Cool review! I saw, maybe this very car, while browsing Craigslist and wanted some more info and came across your vid! I recently snagged a 98 Neon R/T and love it. Such a blast to drive. The analogue feel of these 90's cars just puts a smile on your face!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you! Yeah, the Tracer LTS is a rare little car that’s also a ton of fun. It’s getting hard to find the old Neon R/Ts. Spoiler…I have a 98 Neon ACR that I will be restoring eventually and can’t wait.

[@edercisneros6526]

Awsome review and overview of this Rare Gem!!! Great work!!!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you very much!

[@ESISTTIGER]

In Japan, Australia, New Zealand and a few other places these are sold as Ford Lasers I am in Australia they had a few trims Soch 16v 1.3L carburettor L Sohc 16v 1.6L carburettor GL Sohc 16v 1.8L fuel injected GLI Sohc 16v 1.8L fuel injected Ghia (with sports tuned automatic) Dohc 16v 1.8L fuel injected TX3 Dohc 16v 1.8L turbo fuel injected 4wd TX3 they look like standard traffic but once you get into then they are actually neat little cars

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That’s awesome. Someone let me know that before too. I’d love to get my hands on a turbo AWD one. Must be very similar to the Mazda 323 GTX.

[@ESISTTIGER]

@@autoobsessivegarage yeah essentially its a GTX in a more innocent looking shape Very rare tho apparently there was only a few hundred built

[@johneddy908]

This model was also sold in South Africa, Asia and the Pacific as the KH Ford Laser.

[@mrwarmonga]

Sweet car man. I been looking for one for years now. I wish if you was closer to Chicago.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thanks man…yeah they are extremely rare to find now.

[@generaloranger6150]

LTS trim without air conditioning? Rare combo for sure!

[@lilshag347productionsii6]

my dad has one of these cars, except it is a 1993 Escort. it is the LX model and its white and has the 1.9L.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

They were everywhere back in the day. This, the escort sedan, and protege were all the same car.

[@streetlegalbuilds7644]

I just built mine with forged internals and added a windage tray

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That things gonna last forever. Are the internals easily available?

[@streetlegalbuilds7644]

@@autoobsessivegarage yeah Just expensive

[@ASM881]

No Bill Burr references? Weird.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Haha damn it, how did I miss that?

[@pgtmr2713]

The Taurus got that steering wheel around 94, 95, so it's period correct. I like the Escort GT's styling a little more. Either way, if it was my car, the looks would stay but I'd be swapping a Mazda KLZE v6 in there. 7500 rpm 200 hp 170 tq. It fits, with some axle configuring and a MX-3 crossmember. Cut that 9.92 in half. Or easier to find KLDE and turbo.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That engine would be a blast in the LTS!

[@pgtmr2713]

@@autoobsessivegarage What that looks like. One of my favorite clips to go back to, a turbo Escort, vs. a turbo KLDE V6 wagon. Just listen to it :-D kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5S8eIljo7yCi8U

[@genjoyuki]

Amazing! I love 90s’ mazda.I have 323F V6 1993 in Japan.I think Tracer ’s gear shift rod ‘bush’ doesn’t work.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you! I love the 323. Great car.

[@scottbeesley7988]

I’m convinced mine is indestructible

[@autoobsessivegarage]

They really are!

[@zythr9999]

Lol

[@jayyin88]

The more I look at it, the more I think you need to paint the doors. :p

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hahaha yeah it certainly could’ve used a full spray.

[@Mbachota]

I have one but turned it into a lemons racecars. Been looking for another one and literally unable to find one.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I thought the same thing…great base for a LeMons car for sure. Yes, they are absolutely rare…and when you can find one…it’s almost always an automatic.

[@Mbachota]

@@autoobsessivegarage I was fortunate enough to get one with a manual. However when the roll cage was getting installed the fuel lines caught on fire. Now it needs fuel lines. I removed fuel lines from a 93 escort coupe with the 1.9 but I don’t think it will work with my car. Not sure if you know if it will.

[@mikece3724]

I have one 1994 with almost 95k miles,

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Oh dang, still fresh from the factory. Manual?

[@chicadelobas5495]

these had sunroofs!.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

They sure did!

[@illkid86]

My cousin had a 95 mercury tracer

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Is it an LTS by chance?